BROADCAST
Where to begin: 10 points to consider
Bladonmore Broadcast works with you from the start of an assignment, through to its completion and delivery. It is useful to for us to have as much information about your project as possible, and these are the broadly-based questions that we will ask you to consider when developing a brief for your programme.
Contact us to discuss your ideas and how we can realise them together.
Why is the programme being made?
- Give a simple statement of strategic objectives for the programme.
- What will the programme be expected to achieve?
Who is the target audience?
- Consider who your target audience is and why it is particularly relevant.
- What is the audience's existing level of knowledge? What is its likely attitude, experience and receptivity to your message?
- If there is more than one audience, prioritise them.
What do you want to communicate?
- What is the central message or theme of the programme?
- List only the key elements: detail emerges during research and writing
- Test each point against the strategic objectives and the needs of the audience
What do you want the audience to do?
- Spell out precisely what you want the audience to do after they have seen the programme
How do you want the message put across?
- However tempting, do not write the script!
- Simply restrict yourself to any stipulations you need to make about the content and the way the programme is to be presented.
- What can and cannot be shown and said?
- Are there any corporate identity issues?
- Are there any traps to avoid, eg something which may prematurely date or invalidate the programme?
- Describe any related material being produced - publications, websites, events - and tell us who is responsible for them.
Where and how will the programme be shown?
- Outline the marketing objectives and plan.
- Describe where and under what conditions it will be shown.
When is the programme needed?
Although Bladonmore will work with you to develop a full production schedule, use the following milestones to begin to devise a realistic schedule:
- Brief issued
- Approval of preliminary treatment and budget estimate
- Production contract agreed
- Approval of the shooting script
- Approval of the production schedule and final budget
- Shooting period
- Approval of first edited version (offline edit)
- Approval of completed programme (online edit)
- Production of interactive and/or other language versions
- Delivery of bulk copies and support material
- Distribution
These milestones represent points at which we will need your input. So, consider your own availability and that of colleagues as well as key dates in your organisation, business or marketplace that might affect the overall schedule.
Costs
Summarise any contractual terms and conditions you intend to impose which may have a bearing on costs. For example, number of copies and formats required, use outside the UK as may affect copyrights on music, library film etc.
Bladonmore Broadcast will advise you on broad cost parameters at our initial meeting.
Who will be the principle point of contact?
- Who should Bladonmore refer queries to for a quick, authoritative response?
- Who will "sign-off" key stages during the production process such as script or edited versions?
What else should Bladonmore know?
- Provide any additional information that Bladonmore will need to respond to the brief
- Draw attention to any relevant literature, websites, existing videos or film footage and other source material
- Describe other research facilities, which can be made available or accessed
- Give names, addresses and telephone numbers of any contacts
- What opportunity will there be to evaluate the success of programme and consider follow-up activity?